U.S. patent application number 11/143827 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for paired main tee clip.
Invention is credited to John D. Bankston, James A. Fletterick.
Application Number | 20060283132 11/143827 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37498889 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060283132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bankston; John D. ; et
al. |
December 21, 2006 |
Paired main tee clip
Abstract
A clip for accurately and quickly suspending pairs of spaced
parallel grid main tees from superadjacent structural channels. The
clip works with a separate drop clip that hooks over and depends
from the structural channel. The paired main tee clip has a central
body region configured like a conventional grid tee bulb thereby
enabling the paired main tee clip to mate with the drop clip in the
same way the drop clip mates with a conventional grid tee bulb
thereby achieving a system that is cost-effective in manufacture
and installation.
Inventors: |
Bankston; John D.; (Amherst,
OH) ; Fletterick; James A.; (Olmsted Falls,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARNE & GORDON LLP
1801 EAST 9TH STREET
SUITE 1200
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-3108
US
|
Family ID: |
37498889 |
Appl. No.: |
11/143827 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/698 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 9/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/698 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A clip for suspending a pair of main grid tees in horizontally
spaced parallel relationship to one another, the grid tees being of
the type having the general configuration an inverted tee and a
reinforcing bulb of a predetermined width adjacent the upper edge
of a central web, the clip including surface areas for gripping
opposite generally vertical sides of the web of each of the spaced
tees to thereby hold tees in respective relative horizontal
positions, and surface areas for gripping lower portions of the
bulbs to hold the tees in respective vertical positions, a main
body portion extending generally horizontally between the gripping
surface areas for the spaced tees, the main body portion including
a connector area having a width in a direction parallel to the
direction in which the tees are held spaced apart, the connection
area width being generally the same as the predetermined width of
the bulbs of the tees whereby the connector area is adapted to be
gripped and suspended by a drop clip originally designed to suspend
a grid tee having an upper reinforcing bulb of said predetermined
width.
2. A method of hanging a pair of main grid tees in spaced parallel
relation from a structural channel with its web oriented vertically
and its flanges oriented horizontally, comprising assembling a
sheet metal clip element on the channel with a throat of the clip
enveloping at least portions of the vertical and horizontal faces
of the channel, providing a sheet metal structure extending
horizontally from clip element adjacent its lower end a distance
greater than the desired center-to-center spacing of the parallel
grid tees, the sheet metal structure having a formation that has
surface areas arranged to hold the bulbs of the spaced parallel
tees in a manner such that the tees are maintained in their desired
spaced parallel relation.
3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sheet metal
structure is arranged to extend generally symmetrically in opposite
horizontal directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
of the tees from said sheet metal clip.
4. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sheet metal clip
and said metal structure are formed as separate pieces.
5. In combination, a drop clip assembly having a sheet metal body
with a throat for engaging the surfaces of a suspended structural
channel and a depending portion extending below the channel, the
depending portion having a set of legs arranged to grip the
underside of a bulb of a conventional main grid tee from opposite
sides, and a sheet metal spreader clip for coupling with the drop
clip and suspending a pair of grid tees in spaced parallel
relation, the spreader clip having a central part gripped at least
partially from below by said legs in a manner similar to the way
said legs are capable of gripping the bulb of a conventional grid
tee, the spreader clip having a set of surface elements arranged to
suspend the pair of grid tees in said spaced parallel relation.
6. The combination set forth in claim 5, wherein said surface
elements are arranged to engage downwardly facing areas of said
bulbs.
7. An apparatus for suspending a pair of grid tees in spaced
parallel relation from a C-shaped structural channel suspended with
its web in a vertical plane and its flanges at the upper and lower
edges of the web in horizontal planes, the apparatus including a
first metal body part preformed with a rigid hook for placement
over the upper channel flange, a second metal body part depending
from said first body part, the second body part having gripping
elements for supporting a pair of grid tees in parallel relation
with a predetermined spacing.
8. Apparatus set forth in claim 7, wherein said gripping elements
include surfaces arranged to engage the underside of the upper
reinforcing bulbs of conventional grid tees.
9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first and second
body parts are separately formed and can be field assembled
together by the installer of a suspended ceiling grid.
10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first body part
has a configuration to support a conventional grid tee by coupling
with its reinforcing bulb and said second body part has a
configuration that is engaged by said first body part configuration
to enable said first body part to support said second body part.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to suspended ceiling systems and, in
particular, to a novel clip for suspending a pair of main tees in
parallel relation.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Certain ceiling treatments or designs utilize main tees in
relatively closely spaced pairs to give a ceiling a distinctive
appearance and/or to provide an intermediate space for lighting,
HVAC systems, sprinkler systems and like services. It is known to
use a series of special clips to support a pair of main tees in
parallel relation. Such clips, typically, are suspended directly
from overhead structure by steel wire. In certain geographic areas,
local codes or requirements prohibit suspended ceilings from being
suspended from overhead structure directly by plain wire ties. For
example, in some areas, a C-channel must first be hung from the
overhead structure and a suspended ceiling, fixtures and-like
elements must be hung from these intermediate channels. As far as
is known, there are no available clips or brackets that can be
easily and quickly attached to the suspension channels that, in
turn, can support a pair of main tees in a uniform parallel
spacing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention provides a clip that is compatible with
overhead channel suspension and which supports a pair of grid main
tees in precise parallel alignment. The clip of the invention is
easy to use and thereby saves installation time and avoids fatigue
on the part of the installer.
[0004] In its preferred form, the clip is arranged to work with
prior art "drop clip" hangers compatible with the required overhead
suspension channels. As disclosed, the clip is coupled to a hanger
with simple manipulation of the hanger and clip elements without
the need for the use of tools and/or separate fasteners. The
compatibility of the disclosed clip with conventional drop clip
C-channel hangers significantly reduces the cost and complexity of
the tooling required to make the clip and, therefore, reduces the
costs involved in making the clip. Additionally, the clip affords
the known benefits of similar clips in producing a uniform spacing
between the grid tee pairs which spacing is critical since
variations are conspicuous to even the casual observer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective fragmentary view of a pair of
parallel grid tees supported by the clip of the invention from an
overlying suspended structural channel;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the spaced parallel grid
tees and clip taken in the plane 2-2 indicated in FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the clip of the
invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side view of the clip;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the clip;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a known drop clip
assembly; and
[0011] FIG. 7 is a side edge view of the known drop clip
assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] A system 10 for suspending a pair of grid tees 11 in a
uniformly spaced parallel arrangement is shown in FIG. 1. The grid
tees 11, typically, are main tees with a generally conventional
construction. Each of the tees 11 has lower flange portions 12 and
a generally vertical web or stem 13 which includes, adjacent its
upper edge, a reinforcing bulb 14, as is customary. Typically, the
grid tees are roll formed of sheet metal stock. The grid tees are
suspended from a plurality of structural channels 16. Only one
channel 16 is illustrated in FIG. 1, but it will be understood that
a plurality of such channels 16, typically, spaced parallel to one
another, exist in a common plane spaced above the plane of the grid
tees 11. The channel 16 can be suspended in a building from the
above floor or other superstructure existing above by means of
suspension rods, wires, or the like.
[0013] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a commercially available "drop
clip" assembly 17 that includes a main body 18 and a locking
channel or cap 19. The main body 18 is a sheet metal stamping with
a generally rectangular peripheral profile. A downwardly extending
tab 20 works with the throat 21 to form a hook that captures the
channel 16. Adjacent its upper end, the body 18 has a rectangular
throat 21 sized to provide a working clearance around the periphery
of the structural channels 16. Adjacent its lower end, the body 18
has a pair of parallel vertical slots 22 that leave three depending
legs 23-25. Outboard legs 23, 25 are bent slightly below the plane
of the drawing of FIG. 6, while a central leg 24 is bent slightly
above the plane of FIG. 6. At their lower ends, the legs have
channel shape formations 27, 28, that are configured to normally
embrace the reinforcing bulb of a conventional grid tee. The
locking channel cap 19 has a central slot in its web that enables
it to slide vertically on the clip body 18. When the locking
channel cap 19 is manually forced downwardly over the legs 23-25,
including the channel formations 27, 28, the channel formations are
forced towards the central plane of the upper portion of the body
18 (FIG. 2). A lanced formation 29 on the central leg 24 serves to
lock the locking channel cap 19 in position over the leg channel
formations 27, 28. With the clip assembly 17 being manipulated onto
a respective channel 16 so that it is received in the throat 21, a
section 31 of the body 18 can be bent upwardly to trap the clip
assembly onto the channel.
[0014] A clip 36 of the invention serves to suspend the grid tees
11 from the drop clip body 18 and, therefore, from the structural
channel 16 to which the drop clip assembly 17 is attached. The clip
36, in the illustrated form, is a sheet metal stamping having the
general form, when installed, of an inverted rectangular pan. The
corners of the clip 36 are notched as required for receiving the
bulbs 14 of the grid tees 11. More particularly, the clip 36 has a
generally planar, rectangular main section 37 from which depend
downwardly bent opposed flanges 38, 39 and 41, 42. The flanges 38,
39 are mirror images of one another and each includes an inwardly
bent tab 46 spaced vertically below the main section 37 a distance
at least equal to and preferably slightly greater than the vertical
height of the reinforcing bulb 14 of a grid tee. Another flange 41,
extending transversely between the imaginary planes of the flanges
38, 39, includes a pair of tabs 47 spaced from the plane of the
main section 37 a distance equal to or slightly greater than the
height of a reinforcing bulb 14. The flanges 41 and 42 serve to
stiffen the main section 37 of the clip 36 and keep it in a planar
configuration under normally expected service conditions. The
horizontal lengths of the flanges 41, 42 are somewhat less than the
inside dimension between the opposed flanges 38, 39 so that, as
shown in FIG. 2, there is room, preferably with a slight clearance,
for the grid tee bulbs 14 to be received between the surface of a
flange 38, 39, and adjacent vertical end edge surfaces 51, 52 on
the flange 41. The inside dimension spacing of the surfaces of the
flanges 38, 39 and the spacing between the vertical edge surfaces
51, 52, are determined by the desired center-to-center distance
between the grid tees 11 and the width of the reinforcing bulbs 14,
typically the latter being nominally 1/4''. As suggested in FIG. 2,
the upper edge surfaces 46a, 47a of the tabs 46, 47 are spaced from
the lower surface of the main section 37 a distance sufficient to
receive the bulbs 14 of the grid tees. For illustrative purposes,
end areas of the flange 41 and tabs 47 are shown in FIG. 2,
ignoring the fact that the plane of the section of FIG. 2 is
technically behind these areas.
[0015] Disposed on opposite sides of an imaginary vertical
mid-plane transverse to its length, the clip 36 has a pair of
elongated transverse slots 53. In the illustrated example, the
slots 53 extend across substantially the full width of the clip
main section 37. The slots 53 are spaced from one another to leave
a central land portion 54 that, preferably, has a width equal or
substantially equal to the width of a conventional reinforcing bulb
14, for example, nominally 1/4''. The slots 53 are sufficiently
wide and long to allow the free passage therethrough of the channel
formations 27, 28 of the drop clip legs 23-35.
[0016] The clip 36 is joined and locked, i.e. coupled, to the drop
clip assembly 17 in the following manner, conveniently at the job
site by the grid installer without tools. The drop clip legs 23-25,
in their laterally spread condition shown in FIG. 7, are inserted
through the slots 53 so that in-turned flanges 57, 58 of the
channel formations 27, 28 underlie the land 54 of the main clip
section 37. Thereafter, the locking channel cap 19 is forced
downwardly relative to the drop clip body 18 so as to force the
legs 23, 25 towards the central leg 24 and vice versa thereby
trapping the land 54 in the channel formations 27, 28 above the
flanges 57, 58. When the channel cap 19 fully contacts the channel
formations 27, 28, it is locked in this position by the lance or
lock 29. As a consequence, the drop clip assembly 17 and paired tee
clip are securely fixed together. Study of FIGS. 1 and 2 shows that
the interconnection of the clips 17 and 36 is symmetrical about
imaginary vertical planes, one at a mid-plane through the thickness
of the main body 18 of the drop clip and another perpendicular to
the plane of the main body midway between its vertical edges. This
results in a symmetrical support of the paired tee clip 36 which,
in turn, assures that each of the four tabs 46, 47 of the clip 36
at their upper surfaces 46a, 47b are effective in supporting the
vertical load on the respective grid tee bulbs 14. It will be
appreciated that the clip 36 in concert with identical clips spaced
along the lengths of a pair of grid tees 11 can precisely
horizontally space the pair of grid tees with minimal skill and
effort expended on the part of the installer. The length of the
clip 36, i.e. its extent on each side of the plane of the drop clip
main body 18, can be adjusted to suit a particular installation as
would ordinarily be determined by an architect, for example. The
space between the parallel paired grid tees 11 can be utilized for
lighting fixtures, HVAC air boots, sprinkler heads, speakers and
other utilities and appliances.
[0017] It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of
example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying
or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the
teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore
not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the
extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.
* * * * *